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CU-Boulder leading bid to FAA to build new drone test site in Colorado

Roughly 100 team members across state back submission

By Charlie Brennan, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
05/24/2013 08:38:28 AM MDT

Updated:
05/24/2013 07:17:46 PM MDT

University of Colorado research support member James Mach works on his laptop next to an unmanned aircraft system at CU's Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles in February. (Jeremy Papasso / Camera file photo)

Colorado could become host to one of six national test sites for unmanned aircraft, based on a proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration assembled by the University of Colorado, which boasts one of the most comprehensive programs for such technology in the country.

The seventh and final volume of Colorado's application was submitted May 6, and it is one of 50 proposals from 36 states for what are being termed Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS, test sites.

CU researchers involved in coordinating the multi-agency, statewide effort said Colorado has reason to be optimistic about its chances of finishing near the top.

"Given our experience in actually flying UAS, I think we have a better than average chance, but who knows?" said aerospace engineering sciences professor Brian Argrow.

Eric Frew, also an aerospace engineering sciences professor at CU and director of CU's Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles, said, "I have no insight into any of the other proposals, so I don't feel comfortable handicapping" CU's chances.

However, Frew added, "At one point, the University of Colorado had more FAA approvals than any other agency out there. We have demonstrated the experience, and from that perspective, I think we have a strong team."

While CU served as agency-of-record in making the submission, it was hardly the university's effort alone. Argrow said Colorado's proposal to the FAA was made by about 100 team members who represented 10 regional economic development agencies, seven universities, five industry associations, two state agencies and dozens of private companies.

Argrow said one of the criteria cited in the requests for proposals was that the qualifying sites should offer a diversity of geography. That is another strong card in Colorado's hand, he said.

In addition to the broad expanse of the eastern plains, Argrow said, "If you're going to be doing things like mountain search and rescue, then you would want to have the mountains to actually conduct those tests, and one of the primary applications for UAS is for search and rescue."

CU gained some attention in February when it was reported that the university was one of 81 law enforcement agencies, government entities and universities identified in an online list posted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation as having applied for the FAA permits to fly unmanned aircraft in domestic airspace.

The university's request proved to be for a renewal of its pre-existing permit to use its Tempest Unmanned Aircraft to collect storm data for atmospheric scientists in Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado.

CU's UAS projects have also included monitoring seal populations in the Arctic, charting sea ice changes near Greenland and measuring gaping holes in Antarctic sea ice. Unmanned aircraft can also be used for tasks such as forest fire support, oil and gas exploration or crop and soil inspections.

Police work is another potential application; the Mesa County Sheriff's Department is one of the few law enforcement agencies in the country now authorized to use them.

Frew acknowledged the public's association of unmanned aircraft with the military use of what are commonly called drones, but he said establishment of the stateside test sites could work to change that.

"We at CU-Boulder have really put a lot of effort into a focus on the scientific applications," Frew said. "The purpose of the test sites is to help the FAA understand how to manage the technology safely.

"If we can showcase that the technology is safe, that is going to help the public perception."

The nationwide economic impact of the integration of UAS into the National Airspace System will total more than $82 billion between 2015 and 2025, and more than 103,000 new jobs in that time -- most in either public safety or agriculture -- according to a March report by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

The corresponding numbers for Colorado, across that same time span, are projected at $1.4 billion and 1,760 jobs.

Regardless of which states are designated as UAS test sites, Frew said each location would be a magnet.

"Having a site in Colorado obviously gives Colorado companies easier access to it," Frew said. "But these are national test sites, so any U.S. company that needs or wants this type of access would come, so it would draw activity from outside the state. ... The whole idea is that it is then available to people who need to use it."

CU officials did not specify a location for a potential Colorado UAS test site Friday, saying that would be determined based on the relative safety of proposed air spaces. The FAA's final six site selections are expected in December.

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